USA TODAY The average salary for NFL players hit an all-time
high last season as it surpassed the benchmark of $1 million for the third consecutive
year.

The average salary of $1,169,470 reflected a 5% increase
over 1999, according to NFL Players Association documents. It bested the previous
high of $1,137,800 set in 1998.

Prosperity has had its price, however. The higher numbers
finally caught up with many free-spending clubs, which in turn cut more than
100 veteran players on or after the March 1 start of the current league year.

"This has been the harshest environment that I can remember
if you're trying to find jobs for veteran players," agent Frank Bauer says.

Past spending caught up with many of the teams that were
known as market makers: San Francisco, Kansas City, Jacksonville, Dallas.

As they were making roster trims, the teams with room under
the cap, such as Arizona, Cincinnati and Philadelphia, shopped the bargain racks.

The NFL's 31 teams set another record last year. They surpassed
$1 billion in signing and roster bonuses paid to players, with Super Bowl champion
Baltimore the most generous ($61.8 million).